Which instructional method would be least effective in teaching students to evaluate musical performances?

Teaching students to evaluate musical performances involves developing their critical listening skills and understanding the elements that contribute to the overall quality of a performance. The correct answer highlights that teaching to compare cultures would be the least effective method in this context. While cultural comparisons may offer interesting insights into different musical traditions, they do not provide the specific criteria or frameworks necessary for evaluating the technical and artistic aspects of a performance.

In contrast, the other methods directly contribute to the evaluation process. Teaching academic language assists students in articulating their thoughts and critiques effectively. Teaching students to analyze music equips them with the tools to dissect elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics, which are crucial for evaluation. Furthermore, imparting evaluative criteria directly informs students about the standards by which performances are judged, thus enhancing their ability to assess and critique music meaningfully.